Scorpions are back with another exciting new album. 12 years after announcing their retirement, the band is more prolific than ever, but they also made some great music since. Rock Believer is an exceptional album in that regard. The direction the band had taken here matches their output from the late seventies and early 80s. Namely the two albums it resembles in spirit are Animal Magnetism and Lovedrive. Having said that, please don’t expect song by song copy album. It’s nothing like that. Rock Believer has enough gist to be its own entity.
It’s a mid-paced hard rocking record with lots of hooks and catchy melodies. On top of it, you get a great delivery from Klaus Maine. He is in a truly great shape, and sings each song with a lot of feeling. With exception of one track, everything was written by Rudolf Schenker, and Klaus Maine. The two writers responsible for the big bulk of the material in the Scorpions’ extensive catalog.
Rock Believer has plenty of great songs on it, but it all feels like a whole, and it’s great to listen to all the way through. The title cut definitely rocks hard, as do Peacemaker, but it’s songs like Shining of Your Soul, Seventh Sun, and When I Lay My Bones to Rest that will grab the hardcore fans. Three amazing songs that hopefully will make it to the set list. In reality, there isn’t a bad song here. There is a mandatory ballad, When You Know (Where You Come From,) and it’s another beautiful song with a strong message to the fans. It’s Scorpions doing what they do best, and feeling very inspired.
New drummer, Mikkey Dee definitely adds a lot of enthusiasm and flavor to the music. A solid drummer with the right grit to power up this monster. Dee and Maciwoda lock in a solid and adventurous rhythm section. Guitarist, Matthias Jabs, pulls some great leads, Hot and Cold comes to mind as a very memorable one. Jabbs is such an accomplished player who knows how to complement every song he is faced with.
Scorpions are definitely on the roll here. Rock Believer will get you jumping up and down with joy. There is a lot of layers to this album, and each listen opens up another avenue in which the music will take you. When you are able to apply your experience and refreshed enthusiasm, you make records this good. Absolute winner in the hard rock heaven. If this happens to be their last album, this will be a perfect way to go.
Mark Kadzielawa
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